Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid on Monday jointly announced a justice and accountability 'initiative' between the UK and Pakistan aimed at repatriating "the looted wealth of the country".

The initiative — which the duo insisted will not target individuals but is a broader arrangement between the two governments to collaborate for the elimination of a variety of crimes — was launched during the British home secretary's official visit to Islamabad.

The 'initiative', earlier reported to be an 'agreement' but described by the government as only a 'declaration', is aimed at tackling corruption and "making it a priority for both governments," Radio Pakistan reported.

"The aim of this declaration is to bring back the looted wealth of the country," Shahzad Akbar, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability, said, adding: "The agreement on exchange of convicted personnel will also be renewed."

Javid expressed the British government's desire for mutual cooperation with Pakistan in defence, regional security and efforts against terrorism and extremism — the latter two of which, he said, are a common threat for the global community.

"The United Kingdom will continue to help Islamabad," Javid assured while acknowledging that Pakistan has made "a lot of sacrifices" in the global war against terrorism.

He described Pakistan as a "trustworthy friend of the UK" and said that eliminating corruption is a priority for both the countries.

Foreign minister wants expansion in Pak-UK ties

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who also met Javid at the Foreign Office, had stressed the need for expansion in cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Comments (100) Closed

Whats new in it?? Every current and Ex miniters want the same, but please don't compromise the integrity this time. The nation is ready to face extreme, we are behind you, behave like Tipu Sultan.

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FairPlay

Sep 17, 2018 02:11pm

Firstly can we sign an extradition order so people like ishaq dar can be brought home to face trial

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zeeshandxb

Sep 17, 2018 02:13pm

I think people are more educated than the eye wash news these days. I am sure they both spoke on cooperation and mutual benefits but just giving out a press release without specifics of the discussion in today's age, is ironic.

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Taimoor khan

Sep 17, 2018 02:23pm

asset recovery... now we talking.

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lkhan

Sep 17, 2018 02:47pm

Will this open a new page of collaborations to recover stolen wealth stashed in the UK??? If so, hats off to PM Khan....

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James

Sep 17, 2018 02:54pm

UK in relation to Pakistan must stop being a country where people instead of facing the music can go there and enjoy the music - it is a tragedy that Shariffs, Zardari, Bhuttos, Gen Musharaff, Altaf etc etc all are there living very very comfortably while the common man suffers - some solution must be found to stop this.

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Riaz Ahmad

Sep 17, 2018 03:01pm

Leave fantasy platitudes and wishfull thinking till later, first and formost you need something real, substantial and urgent to bring back wanted thieves and money launderers back to face accountability.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Sep 17, 2018 03:14pm

Wishful thinking is all that our politicians are expert at.

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Farooq

Sep 17, 2018 03:39pm

this is a big news but media won't give it much importance

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 17, 2018 03:42pm

Bring back all looted money as quickly as possible please, and do not let culprits get away. First task should be Nawaz Sharif's wealth, second, Asif Zardari's hidden properties and sugar mills, and then start with Isaq Dar's UAE's properties and others black sheep of pur society. We have to recover all tax payers money and get rid of rotten wood from our society - this is the only way to be self sufficient, peaceful and prosperous nation.

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Leoman

Sep 17, 2018 03:43pm

Simply to say, look busy do nothing.
How can a visiting person make an agreement without any prior meetings and without any consultation with his government too.
Possibly, his visit is of personal nature because there was no news in media before hand.
Anyways, congrats if that's so and hopefully, Pakistan economy will grow high after this agreement.

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mani

Sep 17, 2018 03:43pm

@zeeshandxb problem is that we criticise on the things which actually don't require criticism.

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Nest Interiors

Sep 17, 2018 03:44pm

Good move towards right direction.

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Farooq

Sep 17, 2018 03:44pm

But have you defined the term. Looted wealth as everyone will say that his wealth is acquired without loot !!

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Danish

Sep 17, 2018 03:44pm

Welldone PTI gov doing good job full marks. Need more clarification pl . Hope all big fishes looted money will be in country soon to pay the IMF loan and make Naya Pakistan corruption free.

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Syed D

Sep 17, 2018 03:46pm

One more step in the right direction, keep it up PTI goverment.

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M Ayub

Sep 17, 2018 03:48pm

Could some one explain where the amount of Rs 24000 billions eqv around US$200 billions of loan borrowed during last 10 years of PPP and PMLN government has landed. CJ SCP must take a suo moto action and arrange for a forensic audit immediately.

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Kamal Ahmad

Sep 17, 2018 03:51pm

i hope it includes wealth looted by british umpire during its orguous rule

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RUMI

Sep 17, 2018 03:51pm

Pakistan, UK sign agreement to 'bring back looted wealth' . Does it mean UK will return the money they had looted when they ruled us 71 years ago ?

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Voice of Reason

Sep 17, 2018 03:52pm

A sham.

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Sid

Sep 17, 2018 03:53pm

Correction dawn - they said we would not discuss individual cases in the press conference.. that doesn’t mean individuals will not be discussed further down the line by their respective agencies...

Ishaq dar sleepless nights start from today

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 17, 2018 03:54pm

Is this a formal extradition treaty between the two countrtries? If the looted money can be brought back under this agreement, how about those criminals like Altaf Hussain and Ishaq Dar, who are hiding in England and are wanted by courts in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?

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Ibextechno

Sep 17, 2018 03:55pm

Bingo! Ahsan Iqbal to bite dust soon :)

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Truth Sayer

Sep 17, 2018 03:55pm

Excellent work.

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Mr.T

Sep 17, 2018 03:58pm

and what about the one who looted. and what about the altaf hussain case ?

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Gulab Khan of Gulabkhana

Sep 17, 2018 04:00pm

Action speaks louder than words.

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Mountain boy

Sep 17, 2018 04:04pm

Hallow talk.. all for public consumption.

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Hashim

Sep 17, 2018 04:05pm

This is what we expect, the first step. Good and move forward. PTI government is making difference.

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Skeptic

Sep 17, 2018 04:11pm

@Mountain boy - You are as clueless as anyone who is disconnected livin gin the Mountains usually is!

The British Home Secretary has to report and discuss what he has agreed to, in the House of Commons, upon his return to London, sitting right next to the Prime Minister. Do you think he will hold a joint press conference with his Paksitani counter-part and annouce these agreements, only to go home and deny them? What would that do to his credibility or that of the British Government??

Think before you post foolish comments.

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Saad Khan

Sep 17, 2018 04:16pm

@FairPlay It's automatically include in the agreement.

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Shah

Sep 17, 2018 04:17pm

Now IK government is getting its momentum.

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Rashid

Sep 17, 2018 04:18pm

Excellent move by both countries .

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Iftikhar Husain

Sep 17, 2018 04:18pm

Billions of pounds must be returned to Pakistan.

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ehsan

Sep 17, 2018 04:19pm

@Mountain boy This is not PMLN govt, this is a govt committed to work for the betterment of Pakistan.

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Shakil

Sep 17, 2018 04:22pm

This is how things are get done! in 1 month agreement to bring back looted wealth!
lets bring back all ill-gotten wealth of all political and non political clans! This also states, Sharifs and other are no more safe in UK or be an assets but a liability for UK.

This will be shocking for those who were stashing it all there. IK and PTI means business.

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Khalil

Sep 17, 2018 04:24pm

Signed agreement. Thats how things are done properly. In the past there was never this type of commitment so nothing ever happened because the rogue elements never wanted to sign on the dotted line. Thank you PTI. There are billions of pounds of stolen money stashed abroad in uk and swish banks.

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LendMeYourEars

Sep 17, 2018 04:27pm

That is some progress in the right direction.

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Pro Truth

Sep 17, 2018 04:27pm

@SHAHID SATTAR they have been clever only because both parties have been helping each other. This is not the case anymore for state of Pakistan. Not many countries now allow laundered or corruption proceeds.

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LendMeYourEars

Sep 17, 2018 04:28pm

@zeeshandxb .... British banks have an interest in managing the money.

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Tahseen

Sep 17, 2018 04:33pm

Good!

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Buah A . Sharieuf

Sep 17, 2018 04:46pm

What about sending back Dar and Altaf?

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mhs

Sep 17, 2018 04:48pm

You show justice in Pakistan and money will come and then no need to chase it

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Sameer

Sep 17, 2018 04:49pm

This news has brought tears of happiness in the eyes of so many Pakistanis brutally treaded on by two corrupt most families. May the corrupt pay for their sins. Pakistan Strong. Pakistan Zindabad.

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Gerry dcunha

Sep 17, 2018 04:49pm

No agreement signed between the two countries only diplomatic words by mouth

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Faisal Ahmed

Sep 17, 2018 04:55pm

Is it really happening naturally or a planned game?? why everything goes against to Sharif family?? Poor Sharifs

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Khalil

Sep 17, 2018 04:58pm

I think the noose is closing in on altaf and dar. Some other big fish will also get cought in this net.....just a matter of time.

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Mrpeace Guy

Sep 17, 2018 05:02pm

UK is biased. Why are people like vijay mallya and nirav modi not being sent to India ?

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KKKhan

Sep 17, 2018 05:07pm

Wishful thinking.We will see.Diffence in press statements and reality

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 17, 2018 05:09pm

Bad news for Nawaz Sharif's sons and Isaq Dar, now they cannot hide, and have to surrender and handover their looted wealth. There is no other way!

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Zulfiqar

Sep 17, 2018 05:10pm

Very good step, if Pakistan Succeeded in bringing back the looted wealth, then Pakistan will not need any external loan.

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Ali

Sep 17, 2018 05:11pm

To stop corrupt politicians from looting and plundering the country and their massive money laundering, this should have been done long time back. It was not done as leaders of both PPP and PML were involved in corruption. The people of Pakistan demand "accountability" of all, no politician or his family can be above the law.

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neal kluge

Sep 17, 2018 05:12pm

@Taimoor khan Yes, but talk is cheap. Action is lacking.

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AKB

Sep 17, 2018 05:13pm

It is a great development and big achievement by the Government. Now the cases of plundering of National money should be investigated immediately for early return of looted money.

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NWA

Sep 17, 2018 05:17pm

Let us see what happens.

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Agnostic

Sep 17, 2018 05:20pm

Sounds good but it would be extremely difficult to prove due to intricate methods of proving the fact that money hidden in UK financial institutions is looted by corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, retired generals, and unethical businessmen.

Money laundering is a science and hardly any other nation can match us in the sophistication that our people have achieved in this field.

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Ramesh R

Sep 17, 2018 05:20pm

There is no looted money in billions dollar, may be in millions dollar. And Pakistan may not be able to trace that money too. Work hard and pay back IMF loan amount.

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Zak

Sep 17, 2018 05:22pm

Now UK has more trust and confidence in new PM. Cooperation will be better.

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Zeeshan

Sep 17, 2018 05:23pm

This good news. At least this can be only possible through this government.

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Naxalite

Sep 17, 2018 05:29pm

Excellent news for Pakistan

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Sep 17, 2018 05:37pm

@zeeshandxb Agreed. British politicians excelling in the art of diplomacy, & we being novices, are no match. Realistically speaking the game will start when Pakistan put up specific demands related to its citizens having multi-million pounds supposedly tainted investments in real estate in the UK. A legal lacunae here and a clarification demand there, cleverly put will keep the process going on for years together with no outcome. A more prudent approach would demand that those, as per list available, suspected of having these properties abroad should be apprehended as soon as possible & a plea bargain enacted to affect recovery of taxes with penalties. This is for all practical purposes a quixotic approach, holding no water. Other than that it is mere waste of time to run after this mirage our new govt. is making us believe that our miseries will soon be over and country’s empty coffers will be soon brimming full. Let us hope that the new FM realizes soon & not become obsessed with it

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Sohail

Sep 17, 2018 05:52pm

Pipe dreams and wishful thinking.

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Nooruddin

Sep 17, 2018 06:54pm

Let the process get started. One step at a time.

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MONIER

Sep 17, 2018 06:54pm

Good move. The credit goes to PTI's efforts.

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Asim

Sep 17, 2018 06:56pm

Heard this many times before.
No real reason to believe it this time as well.

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ahamed

Sep 17, 2018 06:56pm

Looted money doesn't have a label in the UK banks or any bank for that matter. First, it has to be identified before any action can be taken. Looks like the UK banks are a safe haven for all monies from anywhere otherwise these large sums would stick out like a sore thumb. It's an uphill battle for PK to identify the monies and the people behind them and only then can repatriation procedures can begin. Also, monies leaving PK from now on must only be genuine trade-related or such. How do these PK and India nationals get into the UK so easily is beyond me. Repatriation can be wishful thinking unless PK assets of these nationals are put under scrutiny. Good begining.

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DARA KHAN

Sep 17, 2018 06:56pm

Please bring Altaf Hussain to justice in Pakistan.

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sultan

Sep 17, 2018 07:12pm

@Taimoor khan This is just a delcaration and not a signed agreement. Why isnt a binding agreement being proposed, this is all for PTI jiyalas benefit and nothing has legally changed.

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Truth

Sep 17, 2018 07:16pm

@Sohail - So says a die hard PML-N supporter - whose party could never muster as much??

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raja

Sep 17, 2018 07:30pm

what about visas?

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Chinpaksaddique

Sep 17, 2018 07:37pm

I thought the article was talking about the loot by the British

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A Shah

Sep 17, 2018 07:44pm

Unfortunately Javid is mostly ignored in the UK. He has no real power

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venkob

Sep 17, 2018 07:50pm

Can you enlighten us why UK envoy is recalled recently?

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Unicorn

Sep 17, 2018 07:52pm

@Agnostic well said. There is No WAY the British are going to extradite anyone from Britain as they think we have no human rights.But our govt will hand over anyone they want without any evidence

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - None of them are criminal. One was finance minister until few months ago and another a mass leader. Both are targeted due to political reasons.

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Salman Yusuf

Sep 17, 2018 10:17pm

"Initiatives, declarations etc" are easy to do. No government will ever sign an agreement on extradition, money laundering, corruption with the UK. For the means the any UKcitizen can go to court with evidence and ask the court to start proceedings w.r.t the personnel/property/ money laundering. The agreement will affect not only the corrupt people outside the government but also not so clean people of Pakistan TehrikeInsaf. So no agreement ever, just hot air like " initiatives" - no concrete action just like before. What I do not understand is that why did the UK home secretary come - just to make a silly declaration. NO. In my opinion, the UK home secretary thought that the Pakistan is are serious about signing agreement but once in Pakistan realized the it was to satisfy the public with no intention on current government to sign an agreement.

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Texan

Sep 17, 2018 11:16pm

Next should be UAE!!

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Dawn

Sep 17, 2018 11:31pm

Great. Let us hurry up.

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Zeeshan

Sep 17, 2018 11:41pm

It started already. One couple already arrested of owning 8 million pound property with no evidence.

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S Zafar Iqbal

Sep 18, 2018 12:46am

Money talks. The looters have the money; the government doesn't, for the looters have bankrupted the nation.

Those who have mercilessly looted and plundered the poor nation, with total impunity while in office, have safely stashed away their lucre in their foreign hideouts.

Of course, the foreign governments knew very well that the money being laundered into their countries is illegally acquired. But so long as the loot is coming in, enriching their economies, even if at the cost of our economy, they welcome the loot, with no questions asked.

Over the years, the looters have succeeded building connections at the highest levels in their foreign hideouts, with the looted money and the political positions they held. In this country they still enjoy the support of all those, who benefited from their corruption.
They have influence; but the new government has yet to build the relationships to counter the looters' influence. That might take time. And it may, or may not, work out.

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Sophia Uppal

Sep 18, 2018 01:02am

So does this mean actual return of money at large or tracing back money laundered schemes or just more stringent laws going forward on illegal money? Cause the news heading looks like it’s about repatriation while the news actual seems a future watchfulness on these issues. A bit ambiguous.

It would be a very difficult process to trace back money laundering schemes on such a large scale but that if it happens will be a real big news.

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Omar

Sep 18, 2018 01:33am

This is the same country which gave Altaf Hussein citizenship , covered up his millions of pounds of money laundering and is still looking for killers of Dr. Imran Farooq despite having video footage and credible leads.
I don’t believe in sincerity of the British when it comes to dealings with us.

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Fahim khalil

Sep 18, 2018 02:17am

It is really a very very Big news for Pakistan. . UK & Pakistan ties are further bolted into new and important dimensions. At the same time Bells are rung for Corrupt Mafia . Now these new ties should move faster at a speed where the common men could see its fruits. We want Avenfield Apartments sell and brought back its money to Pakistan Economy cycle.

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Just Saying

Sep 18, 2018 02:43am

Pakistani politicians are not the only ones who make personal trips at public expense.

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Dawood Ahmed

Sep 18, 2018 02:47am

No way in hell the UK government will give up the money that is deposited in their banks. This make them rich. Why would they give us the money? What does Pakistani government offer in return? What leverage does the Pakistani government has?

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SHAHZ

Sep 18, 2018 03:01am

It is a tough ask and almost impossible to implement

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SANDY

Sep 18, 2018 04:00am

Nothing meaningful. All diplomatic talk with no real value. Not even an MoU.

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sfomann

Sep 18, 2018 04:54am

Bring back the money looted by Sharif and Zardari fanily

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DIGGER DOWN UNDER

Sep 18, 2018 05:05am

Pakistanis on both sides of the table is a heartening news. 'Onya, Javid and Shah. Best wishes from down under.

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Rajesh

Sep 18, 2018 05:36am

I can guarantee that Pakistan will not get anything from UK as UK is the world's capital of illgotten money and is a paradise for Thugs with stolen and illegal money.

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Rajesh

Sep 18, 2018 05:38am

This is a cruel joke played on innocent public in Pakistan

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Mudassir

Sep 18, 2018 05:54am

The beneficiaries of East India Company cannot be expected to return the looted wealth.

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KKKhan

Sep 18, 2018 06:47am

Lie has become very normal,no one questions

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Aamir

Sep 18, 2018 07:19am

Tomorrow UK will also make the same demands to Pakistan. Do not forget after-effects of 9/11 that Pakistan faced.

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javed

Sep 18, 2018 07:31am

Pakistani Awam wants ACTION indeed. Money laundering is still going on every day.

Looted money must be recovered asap and the culprits be convicted and punished severely.

It is high time that a capital punishment law is passed in the Parliament of Pakistan to curb the menace of money laundering and corruption.

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Krishan Chand

Sep 18, 2018 08:04am

Unless there is legally binding agreement, UK courts wouldn't help!

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BAXAR

Sep 18, 2018 12:10pm

@Rajesh "UK is the world's capital of illgotten money and is a paradise for Thugs with stolen and illegal money." That is correct, but is feeling the repercussion of being that paradise. UK firms are losing a lot of business due to the encouragement of corruption in the world. What UK is gaining from that corruption, is very small compared to what private businesses are losing. They lobby for stopping corruption, not because they are honest, but simply because they lose business opportunities. One lobby that gains from corruption is against the other one which is losing. The later is gaining grounds in the power corridors.

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BAXAR

Sep 18, 2018 12:18pm

@DARA KHAN "Please bring Altaf Hussain to justice in Pakistan." UK is cooperating to control corruption and money laundering, not to control how someone talks. Then UK will ask you to hand over people who talk in certain way in Pakistan. Will you oblige them in return? There will be no backlash in UK if they hand over Altaf Hussein, can you say the same if Pakistan hands over a firebrand religious leader?

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rolland

Sep 19, 2018 06:55am

What about the wealth of the nation looted by politicians and bureaucrats since independence? When will it be "repatriated?" The British built two viable countries, Pakistan and India and helped them make progress in the fields of education, health, transportation, communications, rule of law, justice, power and industrial development, etc. Will Pakistan reimburse Britain for the expenses incurred by them?